Towards a taxonomy for assessing and classifying the needs of curly hair: A mixed method, ethnographic and quantitative data study.

Hair defined as curly has an elliptical cross sectional area and unique 3D form. While the chemical, morphological and mechanical characteristics of such hair are being explored using a range of analytical techniques, hair assembly (head of hair) characteristics and individual behaviour are difficult to determine via tress-based instrumental and sensory testing. Since the demand for more efficacious and personalized products is expected to gain pace, this project sets the groundwork for developing a taxonomy for exploring and classifying curly hair needs from an individual's perspective. A mixed-method exploratory sequential design was used to gather information from people with curly hair starting with a novel in the field of cosmetics qualitative research method, Subjective Evidence-Based Ethnography (SEBE) (n = 14) and followed by an online survey (n = 212). The SEBE data analysis identified four common hair goals (aesthetic, haptic, practical and emotive) and a group of perceptions related to hair management routines. The survey explored the relationship of these hair goals with hair perceptions, hair esteem, hair characteristics and demographic variables. The findings suggest that hair goals and perceptions are stronger predictors of hair esteem than other characteristics such as hair length or curl type. Hence, a taxonomy for classifying curly hair should facilitate the development of more appropriate products, and product testing methods should incorporate such personal information in addition to objective fibre and hair assembly data. The focus of this study is on curly hair due to the lack of established methods for its objective evaluation and the personal challenges faced by people with curly and textured hair; however, the approach could be adopted to include straighter hair types.

Les cheveux décrits comme bouclés ont une surface transversale elliptique et une forme tridimensionnelle unique. Si les caractéristiques chimiques, morphologiques et mécaniques de ces cheveux sont étudiées à l'aide de diverses techniques d'analyse, il reste difficile de déterminer les caractéristiques de l'assemblage capillaire (tête du cheveu) et le comportement individuel d'une chevelure via des analyses instrumentales de la tresse et des tests sensoriels. La demande de produits plus efficaces et personnalisés allant sans doute augmenter à l'avenir, ce projet pose les bases d'une taxonomie visant à étudier et à classer les besoins liés aux cheveux bouclés du point de vue de la personne qui les porte. Une approche séquentielle à méthodes mixtes a été utilisée pour recueillir des informations qualitatives auprès de personnes ayant des cheveux bouclés à l'aide d'une ethnographie factuelle subjective (Subjective Evidence­Based Ethnography, SEBE) (n = 14), suivie d'une enquête en ligne (n = 228). L'analyse des données SEBE a permis d'identifier quatre objectifs capillaires fréquents et un ensemble de perceptions liées aux routines de gestion des cheveux. L'enquête a étudié la relation entre ces objectifs capillaires et la perception des cheveux, l'estime de soi liée aux cheveux, les caractéristiques des cheveux et les variables démographiques. Les résultats suggèrent que les objectifs et les perceptions des cheveux constituent des facteurs prédictifs plus puissants de l'estime de soi liée aux cheveux que d'autres caractéristiques comme la longueur des cheveux ou le type de boucle. Par conséquent, une taxonomie pour classer les cheveux bouclés doit faciliter le développement de produits plus appropriés, et les méthodes de test des produits devraient incorporer ces informations personnelles en plus des données objectives sur les fibres et les assemblages capillaires. Cette étude se concentre sur les cheveux bouclés en raison du manque de méthodes établies pour évaluer objectivement ce type de cheveux et des défis personnels auxquels les personnes ayant des cheveux bouclés et à texture sont confrontées. Toutefois, l'approche adoptée ici pourrait aussi permettre d'étudier les cheveux plus raides.

Prevalence and acceptability of psychological and/or economic intimate partner violence, and utilization of mental health services by its survivors in Lithuania.

BACKGROUND: Lithuania has one of the highest averages in the European Union when it comes to psychological and/or economic intimate partner violence (PE-IPV). IPV survivors are several times more likely to have mental health conditions than those without IPV experiences. The aim of this article is to study the prevalence, characteristics and attitudes of PE-IPV survivors in Lithuania, and the predictors of them accessing mental health services. METHODS: A cross-sectional study based on a national survey representative of the adult population. The survey was implemented by a third-party independent market research company employing an online survey panel. Logistic regression models were used in the analysis. RESULTS: Almost 50% of women in Lithuania experience PE-IPV. Females are significantly more likely to experience it than males. The vast majority of women find PE-IPV unacceptable; however, only one-third of survivors seek any type of help. Only one-tenth approach mental health services, with divorcees being at higher odds of doing so. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to explore predictors and contextual factors of why IPV survivors seek mental healthcare, or not. Policy implications include the need to eliminate IPV and mental health stigma; develop accessible mental health services and effective treatment approaches.